Ahh… clickbait. Those bizarre headlines that are annoyingly intriguing and make you feel like a failure for taking the bait and clicking on them. What if I told you there’s actually a good use for them? Welcome to your new way of coming up with story ideas! Seriously, clickbait titles make the best story prompts! […]
writing tips
What to Write?
Most writers have a thousand ideas running through their minds. Add to that pile reader expectations. Popular topics. Hot-button issues. Rave eras. Novels, novellas, short stories, articles, anthologies, blog posts. Oh yeah, there are tons of things for a writer to write. I’m near the end of my first-to-be-published novel (Lord willing), so this […]
15 Times to Fit in Writing When Life is Busy
When I think of a great writer, I think of someone in a quiet house with a daily ritual that involves writing for hours at a time. When I was a teen I would write from 8-10pm most nights of the week. It was awesome. Is that practical for me anymore? Eh, no. While this […]
A Writerly Round-Up
This fine Friday, I wanted to share with you some fabulous resources and articles I ran across this week. Enjoy! 1. How to Keep Your Author’s Voice Consistent Across Genres by Victoria Minks This article pinpoints six things to consider when analyzing your author “voice” and then gives recommendations on how to carry that over […]
How to Draw Maps and Floor Plans for Your Story
Have you ever struggled with the layout of a setting in your story? Have you ever gotten a character lost? Or written something that isn’t physically possible? (“She turned to the left and entered the next room…” Oh, wait, the door was to her right. SHE’S WALKING THROUGH WALLS NOW, FOLKS!) If you missed it, […]
Zillow: It’s Not Just for Buying!
Guest post by author EJ McCay I’m a visual person. I learn visually, think visually, and speak visually. Say wha? Speak visually? Someone asks me directions and I say, “Know where United is? Take a left there.” See? Visually. I think I’m a pretty decent writer. What I am not is an architect. I can’t do […]
Let’s Talk Dialogue: When to Break the Rules
Guest post by author EJ McCay Good dialogue is a wonderful thing. It can grab a reader and pull them into your story. Your characters feel real when the dialogue feels real. Bad dialogue can stifle your flow. It can make your entire work feel unbelievable. It can kill your characters, pace, and story. […]
Book Review: Characters and Viewpoint
(Affiliate link) Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card Vivid and memorable characters aren’t born: they have to be made This book is a set of tools: literary crowbars, chisels, mallets, pliers and tongs. Use them to pry, chip, yank and sift good characters out of the place where they live in your imagination. Award-winning author Orson […]
Book Review: 5 Steps to a Better Blurb
Title: 5 Steps to Better Blurbs Written By: Julie C. Gilbert Genre: Writing Helps/Non-fiction Recommended Ages: Any Introduction: If you have trouble with writing blurbs (and what author doesn’t?), you need to read this book. Faith Blum Faith Blum is a 20-something author of multiple books in various genres. She loves to write, read, play […]
3 Reasons You Should be Using Writing Prompts
Writing prompts can benefit every writer: from the plotter to the pantser (and everyone in between). From the rookie to the veteran author. From the novelist to the flash-fiction aficionado. But why? And how? Other than the fact that they’re fun, I’ve come up with three reasons you should be using writing prompts to level […]